ABSTRACT
There are various ways of defining primary care. Traditionally primary care was synonymous with the general practitioner (GP). One of the key benefits of primary care is that it is accessible and used by the majority of the population. Perhaps the most potent vehicle for public health is via the GP consultation. Given the significant advantages of the core primary health team the benefits of the wider primary healthcare team have only more recently been realised. The challenges for public health have been well described in the government document Choosing Health. Another challenge to public health and general practice is how to ensure quality of life through effective secondary and tertiary prevention. Historically there have been clear links between public health and primary care, with primary care cast in the role of social entrepreneur in developing links across communities.
